Volunteer Project List

We make inventory pickups at the Food Bank on Hamlin Rd. at least twice a month. We collect a pallet or more at a time, so a pickup truck works best. About once a month there's a pickup at the Food Hub on Yearby Ave, which can be done with one or several SUVs. We also deliver to Joiful Bellies shoppers who live in Durham on shopping days — we ask drivers to cover no more than four stops.

Typical need: Food Bank pickups Mon–Wed mid-morning; Food Hub pickups Friday mornings; deliveries 3rd Thursday 4:30–6:30pm and the following Saturday 2:30–4:30pm.

We host a variety of events throughout the year. If you would like to support our events like the Queer Health Fair, Transgender Day of Visibility, etc., by setting up, transporting supplies, breaking down at the end, as well as tabling  and assisting guests during events.

The Joiful Bellies Food Pantry supports our community with free food, household goods, and personal care items. Volunteers do a bit of everything — shopping runs to local stores and the Food Bank of NC, assisting shoppers, keeping inventory, data entry, and cleaning.

Typical need: shopping support mornings during the 2nd and 3rd week of the month; shopping days the 3rd Thursday and following Saturday; cleaning and data entry the last week of the month.

Greet visitors, answer the phones, return messages, and manage Joiful Bodies Giving Closet checkout, with other projects to dig into while you're at the desk. Training provided. We're looking for both regular commitments and occasional fill-in help.

Typical need: Mon 4:30–6:30, Tue 11:30–1:30 and 4:30–6:30, Thu 11:30–1:30 and 4:30–6:30, Fri 11:30–1:30.

The Joiful Bodies Giving Closet provides clothing, accessories, personal care items, and small household goods to the Center's clients and community. This role is for you if you like keeping account of items coming and going, keeping order in the shop, and affirming shoppers' choices.

Typical need: our open hours including food pantry Saturdays, plus some weekday and early evening organizing work.

The Library and the People's Archive are seeking additional members for their planning and action committees. The original library inventory is shelved, with many more donations ready to be sorted and catalogued, and a checkout system is on the way. The People's Archive is catalogued, accepts new donations, and puts up a monthly display coordinated with Community Archive Day.

Typical need: committee meets the 1st Saturday of the month at 1pm; Community Archive Day is the 3rd Saturday.

The Southern Queer Families Network supports queer families with children up to age 12. Volunteers primarily provide administrative support for the program coordinator and rarely interact with families directly.

Typical need: varies.

Passionate about awareness and education around intimate partner violence? We're looking for experienced volunteers to provide administrative support for the program coordinator.

Typical need: arranged between staff and volunteers.

We need occasional help with skilled tasks. Handy with wall-mounting a TV or hanging art? Know your way around small network setup? A whiz at assembling furniture? Choose this and we'll talk about how you can help as needs come up.

Typical need: as needed, one-off projects.

All volunteers are required to attend a 90 minute orientation before volunteering in any role at the Center. Please check this 'Opportunity'.  Thank you!

Not sure where you'd fit best? Choose this and we'll talk with you about what you're looking for and where we need help.

Typical need: we'll figure it out together.

At our Hunt Street campus we rely on volunteers to keep the yard and landscaping looking good. If you have a passion for a tidy yard or outdoor work, come join the crew.

Typical need: seasonal and weather-dependent; at your convenience if you provide the equipment.

Our Youth Center serves young people ages 12–24. During drop-in hours you'd be the second adult in the room while youth run their own activities. For other programming, occasional task and administrative support is needed. This role is for volunteers 23 and older and requires a background check.

Typical need: drop-in Wednesdays 4–7pm.